Out & About Hawaii – Holiday Edition

While you probably won’t get a “white” Christmas in Hawaii (unless you’re exploring Mauna Kea), the islands have a ton to offer this time of year. It is a great time for ourOut & About Hawaii Holiday Edition!

Parades

Grab your lawn chairs and get ready for one of the many parades taking place across the island in December!

Pearl Harbor Memorial Anniversary Parade: December 7, at 6:00pm-8:30pm. Over 50 units will march from Ft. DeRussy to the Honolulu Zoo, in remembrance of the Pearl Harbor bombing.

Haleiwa Town Christmas Parade: December 8, at 6:00pm-7:30pm. Begins at Weed Circle, then ends at Haleiwa Beach Park.

Waimanalo Christmas Parade: December 9, at 9:00am-11:00am. Begins at Hihimanu St. and ends at Waimanalo Beach Park.

Craft Fairs

Honolulu Winter Craft Fair

Over 200 vendors will come together on December 9, from 9:00am-3:00pm at Moanalua High School with food, crafts, fun, and more!

Honolulu Craft and Gift Fair

Do some last minute shopping at the season’s best craft and gift fair, held at the Neal Blaisdell Center from December 15-17.

Eats

Brunch

Breakfast with Santa

Have breakfast with Santa at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort on December 16, from 8:00am-10:00am. Activities will include a breakfast buffet, balloon twisting, body art, and photos with Santa! Seating is limited, so make reservations early!

ThePikake Terrace at Sheraton Princess Kaiulani will host a Christmas Brunch and Christmas Dinner buffet in the comfort of their outdoor dining area. Both buffets will offer large selections of chilled and hot offerings, plus salad bars, carving stations, and dessert bars. Call 808-921-4600 for reservations.

Charlie Brown Christmas

Honolulu City Lights

The spectacular light display in downtown Honolulu is located at the grounds of Honolulu Hale (530 S King Street). The 2017 display celebrates the Honolulu Zoo, with an “It’s a Zoo Out There” theme featuring 56 animal-themed ornaments and a 50-foot tree. Open December 2-31, with an opening ceremony beginning at 4pm on December 2. Entrance and parking are free.

Christmas as the Hukilau Marketplace

Christmas as the Hukilau Marketplace, presented by the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie will have opportunities for photos with Santa, live nightly entertainment, and train rides for Keiki. The marketplace will be open Thursdays-Saturdays from December 1-16, and Mondays-Saturdays from December 18-23, from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Admission is free. Call 808-293-3333 for more info!

The Hawaii Bowl

The matchup featuring a team from the Mountain West vs. an American Athletic Conference team is going down at the Hawaii Bowl at Aloha Stadium on December 24, at 3:30pm.

New Year’s Eve Night Out

Sky Waikiki Masquerade Party

Ring in the New Year at Sky Waikiki’s 19th floor open-air nightclub. Celebrate with food, cocktails, and champagne, while enjoying excellent views of the Waikiki Fireworks.

Firework Cruises

Toast to 2018 while at sea from theStar of Honoluluor Dolphin Star Catamaran. You’ll find fine dining and live entertainment aboard the Star of Honolulu or more casual cocktails from aboard the Dolphin Star Catamaran. Both will have great views of the Waikiki Fireworks! Tickets start at $89:

Hale Koa New Year’s Eve Luau

This New Year’s Celebration will include a traditionally cooked pig and a scrumptious Hawaiian meal. Doors open at 5:30pm in the Luau Garden. Prices vary by rank, and a valid military ID is required to attend. Children 4 and under are free. Call 808-955-9676 to reserve your seats.

Hatsumode 2018

Be blessed for the New Year at Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha-Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmangu. You can even have your head bitten by a Japanese lion for good luck at this culturally enriching event. Parking and free shuttle from Damien Memorial School on Houghtailing.

Enjoy your holiday season and if you’ve ever been stationed in Hawaii, pay it forward and leave a review for your fellow military families.

PCSgrades.comis a review platform for military and veteran families. Home is where the military sends us and together we can make a difference!

Author: Alex Fernandez-Rubio is a military wife and work at home mom of three little girls and a 75-pound lap dog. After meeting her husband in college, they’ve been traveling the world, courtesy of the US Army! Alex blogs at Munchkins and the Military, where she shares simple recipes, DIYs, crafts, and tidbits from her personal life! Her hobbies include cooking, crafting, and photography.